1996 Orange Bowl (December) - Statistical Summary

Statistical Summary

From 1970 through 1998, the Orange Bowl Committee, organizers of the Orange Bowl, recognized two most valuable players. Following the 63rd Orange Bowl, Virginia Tech running back Ken Oxendine and Nebraska running back Damon Benning were awarded the honor. Oxendine carried the ball 20 times during the game for a total of 150 rushing yards—an average of 7.5 yards per carry. He also caught three passes for 60 yards, making him the game's leading receiver as well as its leading rusher. Benning, meanwhile, carried the ball 15 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught one pass for two yards and returned one kickoff 23 yards.

Oxendine accounted for the majority of Virginia Tech's 193 total rushing yards, but Nebraska had many more players run the ball than just Benning, who accounted for just over one-third of Nebraska's 279-yard rushing total. Scott Frost carried the ball nine times for 62 yards and two touchdowns for the Cornhuskers, and Ahman Green, despite being hampered by his injured foot, managed seven carries for 52 yards. All told, seven Nebraska players managed to carry the ball at least once. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, saw just four players carry the ball, and its No. 2 rusher, Marcus Parker, had eight carries for 22 yards.

Though behind in the rushing game, Tech's passing offense finished ahead of Nebraska's. Hokie quarterback Jim Druckenmiller completed 16 of his 33 pass attempts, earning 214 passing yards and three touchdowns. On the opposite side of the ball, Nebraska quarterback Scott Frost earned just 136 passing yards from 11 completed passes and 22 attempts. Combining the rushing and passing totals results in a similar total offensive performance from both teams. Virginia Tech finished the game with 407 net yards from 72 offensive plays, while Nebraska eked 415 net yards from 71 offensive plays. The Hokies had a slight advantage in the time of possession, 31:02 to 28:58. The real statistical difference comes in penalties—Tech committed five for 89 yards, while Nebraska had just three for 16 yards—and turnovers. The sole turnover in the game was a Virginia Tech fumble returned for a touchdown. Neither quarterback threw an interception.

Oxendine's 150 rushing yards for Tech were the fifth-highest total in the history of the Orange Bowl to that point. Druckenmiller's three touchdown passes came behind only Notre Dame quarterback Danny Kanell's four touchdown passes in the previous season's Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech center Billy Conaty set a Virginia Tech record by making his 48th consecutive start in a game.

On defense, Virginia Tech's Torrian Gray led all defenders with 12 total tackles. Second was Nebraska's Mike Minter, who had 11 tackles and a pass breakup. Two Nebraska players had nine tackles apiece, and one of those players, Octavious McFarlin, recorded two tackles for loss. Nebraska recorded three sacks of Jim Druckenmiller, while the Virginia Tech defense was unable to sack Scott Frost. The Hokies did manage seven tackles for loss, compared to Nebraska's five.